Hurrah! Banfi has finally published a preview of the program of Montalcino Jazz & Wine 2012! The long wait was worth it. The collaboration between main sponsor Castello Banfi, the Roman association Jazz & Image and the council of Montalcino is in its 15th year. And as with every Tuscan summer the festival brings some of the best names in Jazz to Brunello town.

Tuesday 17th of July - Scott HamiltonAmerican tenor saxophonist Scott Hamilton will open the festival at the Banfi winery's Castello Banfi (also known as Castello Poggio alle Mura).

Wednesday 18th of July - Avishai Cohen QuartetThe first concert at Montalcino's fortress is with Avishai Cohen. The Israeli jazz bassist came to fame when Chick Chorea took him under his wing in the mid 90s.

Thursday 19th of July - Reggie WashingtonAn evening dedicated to Funky Jazz. American acoustic and electric bass player Reggie Washington will present his new CD "Freedom". Montalcino is one of the few stops during Reggie Washington's extensive tour through Europe this summer.

Friday 20th of July - Flavio BoltroSurprisingly in the 2012 edition only one evening is dedicated to the big names of Italian Jazz. However trumpet player Flavio Boltro is best publicity for the high standards the genre is known to have achieved in Italy.

Saturday 21st of July - Nick the NightflyNot sure what to expect of Nick the Nightfly's gig. I remember enjoying listening to his late night hours as a deejay at Radio Monte Carlo, but embarassingly have no recollection of the fact that the man is a singer and composer too. Judging from his radio program this is definitely an interesting choice if you're up for some Saturday night fever in the Tuscan hills.

Sunday 22nd of July - Kurt Elling QuartetAmerican Jazz singer and Grammy winner Kurt Elling will give the final concert of the festival. For a vocal jazz lover like me, there couldn't be a finer end to a grand festival than spending an evening listening to Elling's rich baritone.

The official flyer of Montalcino Jazz & Wine isn't out yet. I will post it on Map It Out, as soon as I can get hold of it.

The festival program has been slightly changed since I wrote this post - please click through to the updated version of Montalcino Jazz & Wine 2012.